FLINTSHIRE County Council's Chief executive, Philip McGreevy, has given a detailed rebuttal to a number of allegations made in the BBC Wales programme Week In Week Out.

He also strongly denied a suggestion that a decision by the Preliminary Invesigative Panel of councillors not to take any disciplinary action against himself or County Secretary Andy Loveridge was a 'white-wash'.

Referring to the allegation by certain councillors, Mr McGreevy said: 'If my understanding is accurate I do ask why are they not prepared to say anything to my face or the appropriate authorities.'

In relation to the programme, the chief executive explained that a decision had been made that no officer or member should take part, as the authority had a duty and responsibility to safeguard staff and councillors.

But the programme makers did not accept the ruling and 'door-stepped' Mr McGreevy on his way into County Hall.

He said they also failed to use statements issued by the council, including one relating to the safety of gas fires in council houses.

The chief executive said the programme had referred to the number of staff suspended during the lifetime of Flintshire, quoting a figure of 60.

Mr McGreevy added: 'They had originally approached us stating that they understood that there had been 230 in the last five years.

'We responded and told them the actual figure for that period was 39. My own view is that the programme was wanting to give an impression that significant numbers of the council's workforce had been suspended as they wanted to contrast this with their question as to why I had not been suspended.'

Mr McGreevy added: 'I must repeat that North Wales Police has never stated any officers are under investigation and therefore the question of suspension as a result of this investigation has never been an issue for any officer.'

And he condemned critics who had made unsubstantiated allegations, adding: 'The 'knockers' will always be there for any large organisation, particularly in the public sector, but we have certainly had more than our fair share.

'People bringing forward legitimate concerns is one thing. People continuing to pursue both matters and individuals, even after such issues have been determined by due process in formal language, must be regarded as harassment.

'I will call it persecution. While these 'knockers' continue, they are masking the real efforts of the council's workforce and their concerted achievements to date.

'Senior managers have shared with me their very real concerns as to the demoralsiing effect on staff that these continuing claims are having.'

The chief executive said he feared the motives of certain figures was to 'destroy individuals and damage this organisation', adding: 'My call to them may well be ignored, but I would hope that all fair-minded members of this authority will reflect on what I have said.'